The Day - In surprise move, Facebook blocks news access in Australia - News from southeastern Connecticut theday.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from theday.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison lashed out on his own Facebook page, calling the social media giant's decision to block news "actions to unfriend Australia" that were "as arrogant as they were disappointing."
In a shocking act of retaliation Thursday, Facebook blocked Australians from sharing news, a milestone in the increasingly frantic jockeying between governments, media and powerful tech companies. Australia's government condemned the decision, which also blocked some government communications, including messages about emergency services, and some commercial pages. The digital platforms fear that what's happening in…
Feb 18, 2021
A disclaimer is shown on the bottom of Australia s Bureau of Meteorology page on the Facebook app today in Tokyo. Australia s government has condemned Facebook over its shock move to prevent Australians sharing news that had also blocked some government communications. The Bureau of Meteorology s weather warnings, a Hobart women s shelter and the Betoota Advocate, a satirical website named after an Australian ghost town, were among those surprised to find their content blocked at least temporarily. (AP Photo/Kiichiro Sato)
CANBERRA, Australia (AP) In a surprise retaliatory move today, Facebook blocked Australians from sharing news stories, escalating a fight with the government over whether powerful tech companies should have to pay news organizations for content.